By Tyler King

Middle school is one of the best times for students to understand the natural world better. Plant science, in particular, offers an excellent way for students to explore and connect with the fascinating world of growth, adaptation, and ecological interactions. Today, we will explore three exciting environmental activities related to plant science for middle schoolers. With these activities, students will spark curiosity, hands-on learning, and lifelong appreciation for the botanical environment around us.
1. Bending Plant Roots
In this activity, middle schoolers explore the growth of plant roots in a controlled environment. First, students will place seeds in a paper towel within a Ziploc bag. Then, they will zip the bags mostly shut to allow the seeds to grow. The bags will be rotated to test the direction in which the roots grow. Then, they will analyze the bags to discover how the plant roots bend. This experiment showcases the changing nature of root growth based on the direction of gravity.
Activity link: Bending Roots – Sciencebuddies.org
Materials needed: plant seeds, a growing plant, Ziploc bags, permanent markers, paper towels, water, strong tape, and a large cardboard box.
2. Plant Seed Design
This activity allows middle schoolers to create their very own plant seed optimized for growth in the wild. Using various craft supplies, they will try to make a burr-like plant seed that will attach to animals–simulated using a wool glove. They will attempt to carry their seed on the wool glove through a tricky obstacle course to test its effectiveness. This experiment showcases the unique adaptations seeds use to grow plant species.
Activity link: Seed Design – Sciencebuddies.org
Materials needed: Styrofoam balls, wool gloves, scissors, tape, glue, a measuring tape, a stopwatch, and craft materials.
3. Bubbling Plants
In this activity, middle schoolers will explore the concept of photosynthesis in plant life. First, they will arrange plants in beakers full of water. Then, they will watch as the plants create oxygen bubbles through photosynthesis. Afterward, they will analyze this data and form conclusions about plant photosynthesis. This experiment is crucial for teaching students how plants produce oxygen.
Activity link: Bubbling Plants – Sciencebuddies.org
Materials needed: tap water, Elodea plants, string, small rocks, beakers, baking soda, timers, and desk lamps.
Engaging middle school students in plant science activities fosters a deeper understanding of nature and a sense of curiosity and appreciation for it. With hands-on experiments like seed germination investigations and photosynthesis analyses, students can explore plant life in ways they have never done before. With these three activities, teachers will inspire the next generation of botanists, scientists, and environmentalists!
Do you want more resources on the topic of environmental activities? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of searchable STEM resources by category, school level, and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships, and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.
Middle School is where students are transformed, entering as children and emerging as young adults. Project-based learning enrichment helps students “connect the dots” between STEM and real life, making math and science relevant for them and keeping them engaged and interested. With a meaningful middle school experience, students are far more likely to focus on STEM disciplines in high school and beyond. To start your 6-8 middle school chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.